Penticton cares about community and accessibility. We continue to take steps to improve access for people of all abilities throughout our public spaces. Scroll down to read about the City's Accessibility Plan (2023-2026) and for details about the work being completed to remove barriers throughout our community.
Accessible Beach Access
We rolled out Mobi-Mats this year at four Penticton beaches as part of our ongoing efforts to make our community more accessible for all. They will be in operation from mid-May until the second week of September each year. Thank you!
Sudbury Beach is home to a Mobi-Mat and Mobi-chair, which provide improved accessibility to Skaha Lake. Mobi-Chairs are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis from the SUP Glow stand during summer. The mat is located on the east side of Sudbury Beach.
Image
We have a Mobi-Mat at Skaha Beach, near the base of Parkview Drive, providing improved beach access. Mobi-Chairs are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis at this location.
Image
Image
We have a new Mobi-Mat at Okanagan Lake Beach, near the SS Sicamous, which will provide improved beach access. Mobi-Chairs are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis at this location.
The following accessible options are also available at Okanagan Lake Beach:
Near Power Street: A wheelchair-accessible ramp goes from the main walkway down to a platform, which includes a fire pit and an accessible picnic table.
Image
West of Lakawanna Park: A wheelchair-accessible ramp connects from the walkway and leads down to a concrete walking path to the water's edge, but does not reach the water. It also has picnic tables.
Image
Just east of Riverside Drive: A wheelchair-accessible ramp goes from the main walkway down to a platform with a picnic table (pictured below).
Image
Image
Okanagan Lake Park (east of the Lakeside Resort)
- East of the Lakeside Resort: Concrete ramp to beach, near the dog park.
Image
We have a Mobi-Mat at Marina Way on the east side of the beach, providing improved beach access to the lake.
Image
We Want to Hear from You
Have you, or someone you know, experienced a barrier trying to access a City service or facility? If so, please complete this feedback form to report it to the City.
Report an Accessibility Barrier
Download the Accessibility Barrier form
Report an Issue Online
This option allows you to report accessibility concerns related to sidewalks, public walkways, city facilities and more. Your feedback and reports help us create a more inclusive and accessible community for everyone.
Provide Feedback on the City's Accessibility Plan
Do you have feedback or comments related to the City's Accessibility Plan? Please fill out this feedback form to let us know what you think.
Provide feedback on the City's Accessibility Plan
Download the City's Accessibility Plan form
Downloaded forms may be printed, completed and returned in the following formats:
- In person at City Hall (171 Main Street, Penticton)
- By mail: c/o Social Development, City Hall, 171 Main Street, Penticton BC V2A 5A9
- Email: socialdevelopment@penticton.ca
Removing Barriers
Picnics in the park have never been so accessible. Special picnic tables have been installed in many parks throughout the community - including Skaha Lake Park and Okanagan Lake - that enable individuals in wheelchairs to roll up closer to the table.
Outdoor fitness equipment at the Skaha Lake Fitness Park also helps those looking for an affordable and accessible workout.
Explore the city’s outdoor areas. The Rick Hansen Foundation reviewed the following two trail networks and deemed them RHF Accessibility Certified (RHFAC).
Trans Canada Trail, 45 Lakeshore Drive East: This 4.8 km trail is open all year round, following the route of the former Kettle Valley Railway. It’s a popular route for locals and tourists for biking, walking, running and sightseeing. The scope of the RHFAC includes trail and pathway vehicle access, exterior pathways, exterior stairs and ramps, three public washrooms and signage/wayfinding.
Penticton Creek Pathway, 1050 Kensington Street: This trail and pathway is 1.8 km and open year-round. The scope of the RHFAC includes the trail, vehicular access to the trail/pathway, a viewing point, seating areas and information kiosks.
View a Google map marking both paths, with key points along the way.
We strive to make recreation available to everyone. The Penticton Community Centre offers accessible programs and has been updated to improve accessibility. For more information, and to learn about the Access Pass which is available to those who have a permanent cognitive or physical disability visit our Accessible Recreation page.
Older buildings can be an obstacle for those with mobility challenges, but several investments have been made to make City Hall easier to access. This includes a ramp at the front entrance and additional ramps in Council Chambers leading to a lower presentation table and microphone, allowing anyone using a chair or other mobility aid to address their local government officials with dignity.
If you are unable to move your garbage cart to and from your waste collection point due to physical hardship, you may be eligible for a Cart Exemption.
This exemption allows you to place your garbage, recycling and yard waste at your designated collection point in a container that you can handle in accordance with individual challenges. For more information, visit the Garbage, Recycling & Yard Waste page.
If you have further questions, please contact us at 250-490-2500 and we will be happy to explain your options.
Audible signal devices at crosswalks in downtown Penticton help those who have visual impairments know that it’s safe to cross. Newer intersections also feature a special plastic surface that helps those with white canes identify the edge of the road through sound.
Accessible parking options are available to those who have a vehicle with a valid permit on display. The City also works with BC Transit to offer accessible options for people to get around town. Learn more about public transit in Penticton and about accessibility on BC Transit South Okanagan-Similkameen buses.
Our Commitment to You
We are focused on ensuring an inclusive, healthy, safe and desirable place to live, free of barriers that prevent individuals from interacting with the City's services and facilities. Ease of access and awareness of barriers to City facilities and services are two important themes we have heard from the community.
Creating a barrier-free environment, where all people can take part in our community through work, play and other daily activities.
According to the Accessible British Columbia Act, a barrier is anything that hinders the full and equal participation in society of a person with an impairment. It can be anything that stops people with disabilities from being included. Barriers can be caused by:
- physical environment
- architectural and structural builds
- attitudes and social
- policy and practice
- information and communication
- technology
- intersecting forms of discrimination
Good News Stories
My husband Jeffry and I stopped by City Hall in Penticton and were given your business cards. We wanted to take a moment and say "Thank you." I myself have been coming to Penticton for the last 38 years. When my husband and I had children of our own we started the yearly "tradition" with our boys. We have 2 boys aged 15 and 12. Our 12-year-old is special needs. Christian uses a wheelchair and other mobility aids. We have not been able to go to the lake safely with Christian as it was just not assessable.
We always stay at the Golden Sands because they have a pool and our vacation would just stay pool side due to safety. Until this year. We were filled with so much happiness to see the improvements on the Okanagan Lake for being inclusive and accessible. "Thank you" for allowing our family, for the first time ever, to safely enjoy the beach and water.We are filled with so much gratitude and needed to say "Thank you." We are looking forward to next summer, knowing we can all enjoy the lake as a family.
Image
March 1, 2024
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The City is reminding the public of recently implemented safety features at traffic signals throughout downtown Penticton to give pedestrians and cyclists a head start to cross the road.The following safety measures are now in place downtown and will be rolled out in phases at all signalized intersections throughout the city over the next few years.
Advanced walk and bike signals (on bike routes) that provide an opportunity for those on foot or wheels to move forward across the road before vehicles get a green light. Accessible pedestrian signals (APS), which provide auditory, visual and tactile information for the visually impaired, operate with these key features:
- When the push button is held down for 3 seconds, the voice message tells you the name of the street you will be crossing.
- A "Cuckoo" sound indicates that the "walk" symbol is on and the pedestrian has the right-of-way in the north-south direction. Listen to the Cuckoo sound.
- A "Canadian Melody" sound indicates that the pedestrian has the right-of-way in the east-west direction. Listen to the Canadian Melody sound.
- In addition to the "Cuckoo" and "Canadian Melody" sounds, the APS push buttons are equipped with a continuous tone called a "locator tone". This tone is produced from the push buttons to assist pedestrians, who are visually impaired, in locating the push buttons.
- The APS sounds and locator tones automatically adjust to background sound levels. During peak traffic periods where volume levels are higher, the APS sound automatically adjusts and is louder. During the overnight or off-peak periods they drop to their lowest volume level.
- The push buttons are also equipped with a raised tactile arrow that points in the direction of the pedestrian crossing. This arrow vibrates when held.
In addition, pedestrian and cyclist signals are now automatic throughout the downtown core, with no need to press the button to activate the signal unless an audible cue is required.
Signs are being updated to educate the public while adjusting to the safety measures. This initiative aligns with the Council Priorities of supporting a safe and resilient community, enhancing and protecting the safety of all residents and visitors, plus proactively planning for a livable and accessible city.
For more information about transportation and road safety in Penticton, visit penticton.ca/active.
Andrew visited Okanagan Lake Beach and was so thrilled he sent us the following in an email:
"Last night my daughter and myself had the incredibly lucky opportunity to visit your city beach.
I was truly blown away at how accessible the beach was. Right from the time I parked, I knew something was different at your fine city. The handy cap parking spot were wide enough and had a ramp right next to it, along with a spot to get on the curb.Then using the concrete ramp to get down to the beach, the accessible park bench right there and then the ramp to get into the lake. Wow what a treat. I am not used to just traveling with my daughter so seeing this, made my night and most importantly her night.
We have traveled around BC to a lot of places that should be more wheelchair friendly like Stanley Park, Harrison Lake, Cultus Lake and of course Kelowna but have never seen this type of accessibility. Thank you so much, I know that we will definitely be back to spend more time in your fine city."
From BC Transit's website
BC Transit and the City of Penticton are advising handyDART customers of additional hours for the service starting May 11, 2024.The additional hours include Saturday service being available from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. thanks to additional funding for the existing taxi supplement program. Weekday service remains the same from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Booking times remain the same, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
This service expansion for Penticton handyDART has been made possible by an increase in local government and provincial funding. The operating grant provided in the 2024-25 provincial budget will allow BC Transit and the City of Penticton to continue to provide safe and reliable service and demonstrates that public transit remains a priority in our communities.
For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts, please visit bctransit.com/south-okanagan-similkameen.
Accessibility Plan
On Aug. 15, 2023, Council approved its first Accessibility Plan, which will direct the City’s efforts to create a more liveable and accessible City for all Penticton community members and visitors.
In September 2022, the provincial government introduced new legislation mandating municipalities to have an Accessibility Plan that outlines how to achieve barrier-free, public access to all City services and facilities. The Plan will identify access challenges and recommend actions to remove and prevent barriers that impede people's use of City services and facilities.
Municipalities are to complete the Plan by Sept. 1, 2023, as well as implement and maintain a feedback mechanism for the public to report accessibility concerns.
Now endorsed by Council, the next phase is to implement the recommendations specified in the Accessibility Plan and produce tangible results.
On May 3, 2023, Council appointed a nine-member Accessibility Task Force to develop the City’s Accessibility Plan. Members of the Task Force share a commitment to serve their community and have an appreciation for some of the challenges that people experience accessing the City's services and facilities. Terms of Reference, meeting minutes and schedules are available on the Accessibility Task Force page.
Have Questions?
Social Development
Phone: 250-490-2512, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
Email: socialdevelopment@penticton.ca